Murder mystery stories are one of the most widely read subgenres of literary fiction and are a fan favorite. The most famous stories are often rewritten and retold as novels, comics, TV series, and films. No doubt names such as Holmes and Watson come to mind already!
These stories frequently revolve around a detective or investigator attempting to uncover the villain who has committed a crime or murder.
Writing a murder mystery narrative entails immersing readers in a world full of mysteries, where every character has a hidden goal and each new evidence represents either a breakthrough or a dead end. The allure of mystery books stems from their ability to engage readers in solving the enigma for themselves.
This article will teach you how to write captivating murder mystery stories that advance the plot and keep your readers wondering until the finish. We will talk about organization, significant moments, character development, and setting.
What Is A Murder Mystery?
A murder mystery is a fast-paced thriller in which a killing occurs and the characters must solve the mystery by uncovering clues and identifying the perpetrator.
The murder mystery genre combines tension with detective work, making it a popular choice for readers who enjoy solving riddles and piecing together all of the clues.
While the storyline of a murder mystery can be complicated, the basic premise is rather straightforward: someone has been slain, and it is up to the main characters to figure out who did it.
The Key Elements Of A Murder Mystery
1. Start With A Strong Hook To Capture Your Reader’s Attention
An excellent murder mystery begins with a gripping crime that draws the reader in from the first page. After all, after someone has been murdered, it is up to the private investigator (and the reader) to piece together who committed the crime and why.
A great hook will keep readers interested as they attempt to solve the mystery alongside the investigator.
To be effective, a hook must be mysterious and engaging, enticing the reader to learn more. It should also establish the main characters in the novel, so readers know who they’re pulling for (or against!).
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2. The Protagonist Should Be Someone The Reader Can Sympathise With And Root For
In every good murder mystery, the protagonist should be a person with whom the reader can identify. After all, it’s difficult to become immersed in a novel unless you care about the main character!
A sympathetic protagonist gives the reader someone to relate to as they attempt to unravel the mystery. They add a human touch to the plot, making it more relatable and believable.
Of course, this does not imply that the protagonist needs to be faultless. In fact, many of the best murder mysteries involve heroes who are flawed and have their own secrets!
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3. Create Believable, Complex Characters For The Supporting Cast
The murder victim represents simply the beginning. Creating a web of interesting and realistic characters for the remainder of the supporting cast is critical to keeping readers interested. Characters should have distinct goals, secrets, and skills that impact the story as it progresses.
Furthermore, the relationships between these people should be complex and multifaceted, with clues and red herrings for the reader to pursue.
4. Include A Plot Twist
A murder mystery is only as interesting as its plot twist. The best story twists are completely unexpected, but they make perfect sense in retrospect.
Planting misleading hints throughout the story that lead the reader astray is a great technique to accomplish this. This will make the genuine killer’s identity even more startling when it is finally revealed.
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5. There should be conflicting details To Keep The Reader Guessing Until The Very End
A murder mystery is not a legitimate mystery if the reader figures out who committed the crime before the end of the novel.
A red herring, or a false clue that leads the reader astray, is an essential component of crafting an effective murder mystery.
These can take numerous forms, ranging from physical evidence that looks to convict a character but is subsequently discovered to be planted to eyewitnesses who provide contradictory testimony.
6. The Ending Should Be Satisfying
A key component of murder mystery novels is a satisfactory finale with all loose ends neatly knotted. Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule, but a well-written mystery should present readers with a satisfying conclusion.
You can accomplish this by giving a believable explanation for all of the clues given throughout the novel. This not only allows readers to understand how everything comes together, but it also gives them the satisfaction of having solved the puzzle on their own.
Another technique to achieve a satisfactory ending is to ensure that all characters receive what they deserve. This indicates that justice is served, and everyone involved in the story receives their comeuppance.
Different Types Of Murder Mysteries
Murder mystery stories are a popular genre that can take many forms, including novels, short stories, screenplays, stage plays, and even television episodes.
While each sort of tale has its own set of advantages, they all have one thing in common: keeping the audience wondering about whodunnit!
Let’s take a closer look at the different types of murder mystery.
1. Murder Mystery Novels
A murder mystery novel provides for more substantial character development and a more intricate storyline than a short story or screenplay, allowing the reader to dive into each character’s intricacies and motivations.
2. Murder Mystery Short Stories
A short story is a more condensed, focused style of telling a story, with fewer characters and diversions from the major mystery, and focuses on the inner workings of a certain character’s mind.
3. Murder Mystery Screenplays
A screenplay can be an excellent format for a murder mystery, allowing the author to control the pacing and tension of the story. Typically, a script for a film is best suited to fast-paced action and suspense, with an emphasis on characters and visuals. So, a murder mystery script exemplifies the strengths of the subgenre and the screenplay format simultaneously.
4. Murder Mystery Stage Plays
A stage play is primarily dialogue-driven, which is an excellent format for a story based on a central character interviewing others to determine the culprit.
5. Murder Mystery TV Shows
Serialized television has always been popular for telling murder mysteries, with shows such as CSI and Law & Order, as it allows for complex plotlines and character development in a short time frame.
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How To Write A Murder Mystery
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to write a murder mystery.
Step 1: Determine Your Setting & Main Character
The first step is to figure out when, where, and who. Will your story be set in a small village or a large city? On the beach, or in the mountains? Is it a modern or period piece?
Once you’ve decided on a place, introduce your main character. Is she a famous detective or an amateur sleuth? A seasoned private investigator or an inquisitive novice? Understanding your protagonist’s motivations and backstory will help you write a more interesting mystery.
Step 2: Who Is The Victim? What Is The Murder Or Crime Committed?
Is your victim innocent or guilty of wrongdoing? Are they a good person or completely evil? The way you portray the victim will influence how others, including your readers, perceive them.
After selecting a victim, focus on the crime itself. Where did it take place? When? How was the body discovered? These are all important aspects that will assist set the scene. You should also consider the type of weapon used and any evidence left at the crime site.
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Step 3: Create A List Of Potential Suspects, Along With Their Motives, Opportunities, And Alibis
The best murder mystery stories always involve a huge number of prospective suspects. After all, part of the excitement is figuring out who did it! So, once you’ve decided on your victim and crime, begin brainstorming a list of potential killers.
Here are a few things to keep in mind as you create your list of suspects:
- Each suspect should have a motive for killing the victim. What would they stand to gain by the victim’s death?
- Each suspect should have an opportunity to commit the crime. Where were they when the crime took place? Do they have access to the murder weapon?
- Each suspect should have some kind of connection to the victim. How do they know each other? What is their relationship like?
- Each suspect should have a seemingly valid alibi for where they were when the crime was committed. Think of each character’s backstory and what they might have been doing at the time.
Always make sure to think about what clues and red herrings you want to include in your story when you are thinking about your suspects!
Step 4: Create A Unique Twist On The Actual Murder
This is where you take the fundamental idea of murder and make it your own. It is critical to come up with something that will surprise your readers and keep them guessing until the final reveal.
One method to accomplish this is to alter the motives for the murder. Perhaps the victim was murdered for insurance money, or there was a love triangle gone awry.
You can even customize how the murder is carried out. Instead of a bullet to the head, perhaps the person was poisoned or drowned.
Include a sense of improbability or impossible while describing the crime. This heightens the mystery and engagement!
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Step 5: Create A Timeline Of Events
The final step in writing a murder mystery is to develop a timeline of events. This may appear frightening, but it isn’t as difficult as it sounds. Here are some tips:
Begin by making a list of all the events that occur in your story, no matter how major or minor. Small details matter! Once you’ve compiled your list, arrange the events in chronological order. If you are confused about the order, that is fine; you can always go back and make changes as needed.
Next, expand on each event with greater details. What happened? Who was involved? Where did it take place? When did this occur? Why did this happen? Answering these questions will enable you to develop a more thorough and credible timetable.
Finally, don’t forget to incorporate clues and red herrings to keep your story engaging and surprising!
FAQs On How To Write a Murder Mystery
A compelling detective or investigator, a well-plotted crime, a range of suspects, red herrings to mislead the reader, and a satisfying resolution.
Develop a backstory that explains their motivations and skills, gives them unique quirks or habits, and ensures they have both strengths and flaws. Consider what drives them to solve crimes.
The setting can create an atmosphere, influence the plot, and provide clues. A well-crafted setting can make the mystery more immersive and heighten the tension.
Conclusion
If you’re eager to try your hand at writing murder mysteries, start with a strong hook that will pique your reader’s interest. Once you’ve got them hooked, use plenty of story twists and red herrings to keep them guessing until the finish. Don’t forget to build relatable characters for your audience to love (or loathe!).
With these pointers in mind, you’re ready to write murder mysteries that will keep your readers hooked to the page. Ready, set, and solve!
References
- jerichowriters.com – How To Write Murder Mystery Stories: Top Tips
- thenovelry.com – 5 Top Tips for How to Write a murder Mystery
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